Eric Yu looked genuinely earnest.
If it weren’t for his slightly cutting comment about being a security guard, Lynn Chen might have really thought he was trying to help Evan Lin get an opportunity.
"No need to call him."
Lynn Chen shook her head. "Besides, he’s usually pretty busy..."
"Busy?"
Before Lynn could finish, one of the girls sitting there snorted, "Busy? What, is he busier than Sunny?"
"Seriously, not to brag, but Sunny’s willing to throw him a bone, help him make some connections—that’s already more respect than he deserves. So what now, is he just spitting on it, or what?"
The girl’s tone was a bit cold, her words directed at Lynn Chen.
"Exactly! All we’re asking is for you to make a call, nothing more. Plus, this is Sunny’s goodwill!" another person chimed in.
"If your friend really can fight and gets noticed, maybe he could end up running security someday. Sky’s the limit, right?"
A group of people kept talking.
Nana sensed something was off and looked at Lynn Chen with concern.
"Sorry, I suddenly don’t feel well. I don’t think I can stay for this meal."
Lynn Chen stood up, gently pulled Nana beside her, and said, "By the way, I also want to make it clear why I came today—I hope everyone won’t misunderstand my relationship with Eric Yu."
"Eric and I are just ordinary classmates. I don’t want my presence to affect his contract, but at the same time, I don’t want him affecting my life."
"It’s just kindness—don’t twist it into something ugly."
Her voice was gentle, but the other girl next to her, dressed like she was ready for a runway, was way less friendly. She shot Lynn Chen and Nana a cold look and said, "Leaving before the food even comes out? Wow, you really don't care about anyone's face, do you?"
"If you really want to leave, fine. This meal was meant to treat you. If you won't eat and won't give Tony Tao any respect, then pay the bill. If you can cover it, you can walk out; if not, sit down and behave!"
"Do you really think everyone’s your mom and dad, here to coddle your little tantrums?"
Her words were razor-sharp, and paired with that contemptuous glare, they hit like a slap to the face.
Lynn Chen couldn’t break free right away.
"You’re leaving already?"
Tony Tao stood up, shook his head, and said, "No need to rush. Besides, you haven’t even eaten yet."
"If Eric Yu hadn’t said he could get you to come, I wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble to book the Ink Pavilion at Scholar’s Court."
As he spoke, two girls quickly caught on and stepped forward, blocking Lynn Chen’s way. Smiling, one said, "We just talk like this—don’t take it too seriously, nobody means any harm. Honestly, you’re so pretty, sitting here pining for someone, it’s a little heartbreaking. That’s why we suggested he come to Beijing as a bodyguard, so he could be closer to you."
"It’s just kindness, don’t take it the wrong way."
Her voice was gentle, but the other girl next to her, dressed flamboyantly, was clearly less friendly. She glared at Lynn Chen and Nana, and said coldly, "Leaving before you even eat? That’s really not giving face."
"If you really want to go, fine. This meal was meant to treat you. If you won’t eat and won’t give Tony Tao face, then pay the bill. If you can cover it, you can leave; if not, sit down and behave!"
"What, you think the whole world’s your parents—everyone has to cater to your little moods?"
Her words were biting, and paired with that disdainful look, they really stung.
"Lynn..."
Nana clung tightly to Lynn Chen’s sleeve; she’d never seen anything like this before.
If you had to pick the most naive person in Lynn Chen’s entire dorm, it’d definitely be Nana.
After getting into college, Nana mostly just read, ate, slept, and checked out cute guys—she hadn’t been through much drama.
Her social life was simple, so seeing a group suddenly turn so hostile left her totally stunned and panicking inside.
But right now, Lynn Chen was surprisingly calm. She frowned, shook off Eric Yu’s hand, and turned to the girl, "How much is this meal?"
She spoke as she pulled out her bank card.
After Charles Chen made it big, he gave her plenty of spending money, but Lynn Chen didn’t like shopping much and wasn’t materialistic, so she’d barely used any.
She still had thirty thousand yuan left in her account.
"Without drinks, what I ordered plus what you added later comes to about sixty-five thousand."
Tony Tao stretched out his hand, and someone behind him handed over the bill they’d just ordered.
Sixty-five thousand.
The number made Lynn Chen pause for a moment.
The price was downright absurd.
"So, sixty-five thousand. If you can pay up, you can leave right now. If not, sit down and finish the meal with Tony Tao!"
The sharp-tongued woman sneered as she spoke.
"Forget it, Tony’s actually a decent guy, and it’s just a meal."
Another girl tried to persuade Lynn gently.
One played the bad cop, one played the good cop—the roles were clear.
Lynn Chen stood there and took out her phone. "I’m making a call."
"What, planning to have your parents pay for you?"
Seeing Lynn Chen’s move, someone immediately laughed.
A boy sitting nearby got up, reached out, and snatched Lynn Chen’s phone from her hand.
"No need, pretty girl. We’re not trying to poison you or anything. But sixty-five thousand—that’s no small sum."
He was tall and had an especially sunny smile.
He grabbed Lynn Chen’s phone to stop her from calling for help.
"Give me back my phone!"
Lynn Chen’s face changed as she tried to grab her phone, but the two women blocked her way.
She didn’t even have a chance to speak.
The phone in the boy’s hand started ringing.
He glanced at the incoming call display—the note was a single character.
Lin.
Lin?
"Hello, who are you looking for?"
He didn’t hesitate, answered loudly, "Huh? Who?"
"I’m looking for Lynn Chen."
"Sorry, she’s a bit busy right now and probably can’t answer. Plus, her phone looks dead. If it’s important, call later."
After that, the boy hung up and turned off the phone.
He looked at Lynn Chen, whose face was full of anger, and said with a smile, "A guy just called you. I told him you were busy."
"Now your phone’s dead and you can’t pay the bill, so how about you sit down and eat quietly?"
He smiled.
Just as he finished speaking...
Bang!
The door to the private box behind Lynn Chen was pushed open from outside.
"Give her back her phone."
Someone stood there and spoke.